This two-part article examines the distribution of metallic layers through the thickness of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) on their response and damage when subjected to high-velocity projectile impact. Glass fiber/epoxy and Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy sheets are used to obtain four different layups of FMLs fabricating by the hand layup process and exhibiting the same thickness of the total metal layer. Part I deals with experimental investigations of fully clamped square FMLs normally impacting at the center by hemispherical steel projectile using compressed air gun set up. Different parameters are considered to evaluate the FMLs’ performance, which includes damage degree, first cracking energy, crack length, deformation profile, and damage developed on the surface and inside the laminate. The results indicate that the highest permanent deformation and cracking are exhibited by FML 4/3-0.3, exhibiting separation of composite layers with different orientations by the metallic layer. The other FMLs exhibit lower and approximately similar permanent deformations. However, lower cracking and a relatively higher lateral delamination spread and opening of the interlayer are exhibited by FML 2/1-0.6 in which composite layers are arranged together than FML 4/3-0.3, signifying that the damage spreading laterally can be reduced by dispensing titanium layers. The ballistic resistance is found to be similar for FMLs. The levels of permanent deformation, cracking, and delamination with their opening and spreading are lesser for titanium-based FMLs than aluminium-based FMLs. The ballistic response of FMLs will be evaluated using analytical modeling in an accompanying study (Part II).

这篇由两部分组成的文章研究了金属层在经受高速弹丸撞击时在纤维金属层压板（FML）厚度上的响应和损坏情况下的分布。玻璃纤维/环氧树脂和Ti-6Al-4V钛合金板用于通过手工铺层工艺获得四种不同的FML铺层，并且总金属层厚度相同。第一部分涉及使用压缩空气枪对完全夹持的方形FML进行的实验研究，这些方形FML通常由半球形钢弹在中心撞击。考虑了不同的参数来评估FML的性能，包括损坏程度，第一裂化能，裂纹长度，变形轮廓以及层压板表面和内部产生的损坏。结果表明，FML 4 / 3-0.3表现出最高的永久变形和开裂，表现出不同方向的复合层被金属层分离。其他FML表现出较低且近似相似的永久变形。但是，FML 2 / 1-0.6表现出较低的开裂和相对较高的横向分层扩展和中间层的开裂，其中复合层比FML 4 / 3-0.3排列在一起，这表明可以通过以下方式减少横向扩展的破坏：分配钛层。发现FML的防弹性能相似。与铝基FML相比，钛基FML的永久变形，开裂和分层以及其打开和扩展的程度要小。